Devon Syrjanen

Devon Syrjanen is a Researcher at Chapin Hall. Her work focuses on the evaluation of program processes and implementation, cross-system coordination, and the use of administrative data to analyze outcomes and provide information about child welfare systems and performance related data. Dr. Syrjanen is currently working with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to evaluate the efforts of their Title IV-E Birth through Three Waiver Demonstration Project. This evaluation assesses the impact of the evidence-based interventions they have implemented. The work with DCFS also evaluates the process, quality, and capacity components of the waiver. She is also contributing to the Tennessee Title IV-E Waiver Demonstration Project, analyzing Tennessee child welfare and private provider data. Dr. Syrjanen’s work examines the overall analytic dynamics of the child welfare system in order to improve practices that impact children in the system..

Dr. Syrjanen has a wealth of experience working in the child welfare system. She served as the Title IV-E Eligibility Services Manager for the Southern Region and then as a Program and Policy Analyst in the Research Unit for the state of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, Division of Safety and Permanence. In Wisconsin, she worked both as a manager and team member on a variety of multifaceted projects within the child welfare system. Before these roles, Dr. Syrjanen worked for several years in the private provider community, particularly with children, youth, and families involved in the child welfare and juvenile delinquency systems. This work included carrying out a variety of program operation functions; including program development and evaluation, grant writing, report development, delivering presentations, and encouraging cross-systems collaborations.

Dr. Syrjanen earned her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN and received her undergraduate degree from Viterbo University in
La Crosse, WI.